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Pop Quiz: The American Music Awards

By Dave Itzkoff November 22, 2010 8:27 amNovember 22, 2010 8:27 am

ABCThe enthusiasm of countless viewers of the American Music Awards is reflected in the expression of Kesha, a performer on the show.

What, another American Music Awards show already? Yes, it has been almost exactly a year since the 2009 running of that annual record-industry trophy giveaway – not quite as prestigious as the Grammys, arguably preferable to the People’s Choice Awards – which stirred up a sensation for a provocative performance by Adam Lambert and some otherwise inept musical numbers. So this much can be said about the confetti-laden 2010 show, which was held Sunday at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast on ABC: at least it was free of controversy.

If you followed along with Sunday’s proceedings, how much of the American Music Awards show do you still remember? And if you had other things to do, how much will you really regret missing? Take this simple quiz and find out.

1. What reason did will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas give a journalist from Billboard magazine for wearing a hat made out of Legos at the ceremony?
(a) “I’ve outgrown the recommended age group for Duplos.”
(b) “I needed something to go with my pants made out of Tinkertoys.”
(c) “I’m always thinking about connective things.”

2. When Muse thanked Charles Darwin during the band’s acceptance of the award for favorite alternative-rock artist, it was:
(a) a misguided attempt to suggest the group was more fully evolved than other performers
(b) a strangely timed moment to endorse evolution over creationism
(c) a genuine expression of gratitude following the band’s finch watching vacation in the Galápagos

3. The note that Pink hit at the end of her performance of “Raise Your Glass” was:
(a) meant to shatter any remaining glasses she did not already break over the heads of her dancers
(b) intended to disrupt a pack of wild dogs attacking Ryan Seacrest off camera
(c) sufficiently in tune to qualify her as a finalist on any given season of “American Idol”

4. What is Kesha reacting to in the photograph at the top of this page?
(a) Her successful completion of a musical routine that seemed to be inspired by “The Time Machine,” in which she becomes savior to a race of simple-minded, feather-haired Eloi
(b) The juxtaposition of pop-music ephemera with the solemnity of the eve of the 47th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
(c) A premonition that in a few minutes she will be shown many times while she dances in the audience to the music of Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block

5. Why did Justin Bieber say, “Without Michael Jackson, none of us would be here,” during an acceptance speech?
(a) His parents have not yet explained to him where babies actually come from
(b) To see the reactions from country music artists like Lady Antebellum
(c) In hopes that viewers would remember that part of the speech, and forget when he said, “I’ve been singing Eminem since I was 3.”

6. Why were Gavin Rossdale of Bush and Santana paired up for a cover of T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On)”?
(a) Mr. Rossdale was led to believe he would be performing with Santana from “Glee”
(b) Er…
(c) Quick, look over there! It’s Katy Perry in a low-cut top!

7. What does NKOTBSB stand for?
(a) Need Another Seven Boy-Band Members
(b) The chemical formula for guyliner
(c) A new government agency that will set federal limits on the maximum number of performers allowed in reunited 1990s-era acts

8. How were New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys introduced for their show-closing medley?
(a) “Here to make you forget all about Lara Logan’s ’60 Minutes’ profile of Mark Wahlberg, it’s his brother Donnie and eight other guys.”
(b) “And now your reward for not switching over to ‘The Walking Dead.'”
(c) “Two of the greatest groups of all time are about to make music history.”

9. The reason nearly every performance ended with an explosion of confetti was:
(a) someone at Dick Clark Productions ordered 10,000 pounds too many for “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” and it was getting dangerously close to its expiration date
(b) a silent homage to the ultimate pop star, Rip Taylor
(c) in acknowledgment of the lasting impact these musicians and their performances will have on the zeitgeist and – oh, wait, they’re clearing off the stage for the next act.

Answer key: the correct response to most questions is (c), except where it isn’t. For further details about what your score means, click here.